Flip-flops

Flip-flops (also called thongs, jandals, pluggers, go-aheads, slaps, slides, step-ins,chankla or a variety of other names throughout the world) are a type of open-toed sandal typically worn in casual situations. They consist of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap that passes between the first and second toes and around either side of the foot. They may also be held to the foot with a single strap over the top of the foot rather than a thong. The name "flip-flop" originated because of the sound that is made by slapping between the sole of the foot and the floor when walking.[1]

This style of footwear has been worn by the people of many cultures throughout the world, originating as early as the ancient Egyptians in 1,500 B.C. The modern flip-flop descends from the Japanese zōri, which became popular after World War II when soldiers returning to the United States brought them back. They became popular summer footwear among both genders during the 1960s, 1990s, and 2000s, and some varieties have even found their way into more formal attire, despite criticism.

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The term flip-flop has been used in American and British English since circa 1972 to describe the thong or no heel strap sandal. It gets its name from the sound that is made by walking in them,[1] and is thus an example of onomatopoeia. Flip-flops were commonly worn in Nigeria at least since the early sixties, and it is perhaps from Britons and Americans returning home that the term spread. They could be bought by tracing round the edge of a foot on paper, and then the template would accompany a servant to the market, where he would barter for flip-flops. They are called thongs in Australia,[2]jandals (short for "Japanese sandals") in New Zealand, slops in South Africa.,[3] and tsinelas in Philippines (in some Visayan localities as "smagul", from the word smuggled).

This footwear has a number of other names around the world. In India and Pakistan, flip-flops are commonly known as hawai chappal (हवाई चप्पल), which literally translates from Hindustani as "air sandal".[4][5] The Japanese wear similarly designed, traditional straw sandals known as zōri.[6] Throughout the world, they are known by a variety of other names, including dép tông or dép xỏ ngón in Vietnam, chinelos in Brazil, japonki in Poland, dacas in Somalia, sayonares (σαγιονάρες) in Greece, Schlapfen in Austria, slippers in Hawai'i, tsinelas in the Philippines, djapanki (джапанки) in Bulgaria, and vietnamki in Russia and Ukraine.[3][7]

Thong sandals have been worn for thousands of years, dating back to pictures of them in ancient Egyptian murals from 4,000 B.C. One pair found in Europe was made of papyrus leaves and dated to be approximately 1,500 years old. They were worn in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus.[8] These early versions of flip-flops were made from a wide variety of materials. Ancient Egyptian sandals were made from papyrus and palm leaves. The Masai of Africa made them out of rawhide. In India, they were made from wood. In China and Japan, rice straw was used. The leaves of the sisal plant were used to make twine for sandals in South America, while the natives of Mexico used the yucca plant.[9]

The Ancient Greeks and Romans wore versions of flip-flops as well. In Greek sandals, the toe strap was worn between the first and second toes, while Roman sandals had the strap between the second and third toes. These differ from the sandals worn by the Mesopotamians, with the strap between the third and fourth toes. In India, a related chappal ("toe knob") sandal was common, with no straps but a small knob sitting between the first and second toes. They are known as Padukas[10]

The modern flip-flop became popular in the United States as soldiers returning from World War II brought Japanese zōri with them. It caught on in the 1950s during the postwar boom and after the end of hostilities of the Korean War. As they became adopted into American popular culture, the sandals were redesigned and changed into the bright colors that dominated 1950s design.[11] They quickly became popular because of convenience and comfort, and were popular in beach-themed stores and as summer shoes.[12] During the 1960s, flip-flops became firmly associated with the beach lifestyle of California. As such, they were promoted as primarily a casual accessory, typically worn with shorts, bathing suits, or summer dresses. As they became more popular, some people started wearing them for more dressy or formal occasions.[10]

In 1962, Alpargatas marketed a version of flip-flops known as Havaianas in Brazil. By 2010, more than 150 million pairs of Havaianas were produced each year.[13] Flip-flops quickly became popular as casual footwear of young men and women from their teens to college. Girls would often decorate their flip-flops with metallic finishes, charms, chains, beads, rhinestones, or other jewelry.[14] High-end flip-flops made of leather or sophisticated synthetic materials are commonly worn in place of sneakers or loafers as the standard, everyday article of casual footwear, particularly among teenagers and young adults, although it is not unusual to see even older people wearing playful, thick-soled flip-flops in brilliant colors.

While exact sales figures for flip-flops are difficult to obtain due to the large number of stores and manufacturers involved, the Atlanta-based company Flip Flop Shops claimed that the shoes were responsible for a $20 billion industry in 2009. Furthermore, sales of flip-flops exceeded those of sneakers for the first time in 2006. If these figures are accurate, it is remarkable considering the low cost of most flip-flops.[20]

The modern flip-flop has a very simple design, consisting of a thin rubber sole with two straps running in a Y shape from the sides of the foot to the gap between the big toe and the one beside it. They typically do not have a strap around the heel, although heeled varieties are available, as well as flip-flops designed for sports, which come with added support common to athletic shoes, with the thong between the toes. Most modern flip-flops are inexpensive, costing as little as $5, or less in some parts of the world.[10]

They are made from a wide variety of materials, as were the ancient thong sandals. The modern sandals are made of more modern materials, such as rubber, foam, plastic, leather, suede, and even fabric.[10] Thongs made of polyurethane have caused some environmental concerns — since polyurethane is a number 7 resin, they can't be easily discarded or they will be in landfills for a very long time.[21] Due to these concerns, some companies have begun to sell flip-flops made from recycled rubber, such as that from used bicycle tires, or even hemp.[22] In response to environmental concerns, some companies offer a recycling program for used flip flops.[23]

Due to the strap between the toes, flip-flops are typically not worn with socks. Though, in colder weather, some people may wear flip-flops with toe socks.[24] The Japanese commonly wear tabi with their zōri sandals, which is a traditional sock with a single slot for the thong.[25]

While flip-flops do provide the wearer with some protection from hazards on the ground, such as hot sand at the beach, glass, thumb tacks or even fungi and wart-causing viruses in locker rooms or community pools, their simple design is responsible for a host of other injuries of the foot and lower leg.[26] In the United Kingdom in 2002, 55,100 individuals went to hospital with flip-flop related injuries.[27] By 2010, there were 200,000 flip-flop related injuries costing the British National Health Service £40 million.[28]

Walking for long periods in flip-flops can be very tough on the feet, resulting in pain in the ankles, legs, and feet[citation needed]. A 2009 study at Auburn University found that flip-flop wearers took shorter steps and their heels hit the ground with less vertical force than those wearing athletic shoes.[29][30][31] Individuals with flat feet or other foot issues are advised to wear a shoe with better support.[32]

The lack of support provided by thong sandals is a major cause of injuries[citation needed]. Since they have a spongy sole, the foot rolls further inward than normal when it hits the ground — an action called over-pronation, which is responsible for many foot problems[citation needed]. Overpronation may also lead to flat feet[citation needed]. Flip-flops can cause a person to overuse the tendons in their feet, resulting in tendonitis.[33] The lack of an ankle strap that holds the foot in place is also a common reason for injury, as this causes wearers to scrunch their toes in an effort to keep the flip-flop in place, which can result in tendonitis.[27]

Ankle sprains or broken bones are also common injuries, due to stepping off a curb or tumbling — the ankle bends, but the flip-flop neither holds on to nor supports it.[33] The straps of the flip-flop may cause frictional issues, such as rubbing, during walking. The open-toed nature of the thongs may result in cuts, scrapes, bruises, or stubbed toes.[34] Despite all of these issues, flip-flops do not have to be avoided completely. Many podiatrists recommend avoiding the inexpensive, drug store varieties and spending more on sandals with thick-cushioned soles, as well as ones that have a strap that's not canvas and that comes back almost to the ankle.[35]